Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority

Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority (OPEPA) came in to existence as a registered society on 30th January 1996. The School & Mass Education(S & ME) department in the Government of Odisha has the responsibility to achieve the goals of Universal Elementary Education (UEE).Read more

The Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (The RTE Act).

The Article 21-A in the Constitution of India is to provide free and compulsory
education to all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental
Right. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which
represents the consequential legislation envisaged under Article 21-A, means that
every child has a right to full time elementary education of satisfactory and equitable
quality in a formal school which satisfies certain essential norms and standards.
The RTE Act, 2009 passed by the Parliament in 2009 and came into effect in Odisha
on April 01, 2010.

The Right to Free & Compulsory Education Act, 2009 provides a justifiable legal
framework that entitles all children between the ages of 6-14 years, free and compulsory
admission, attendance and completion of elementary education. It provides for children's
right to an education of equitable quality, based on principles of equity and non-discrimination.
Most importantly, it provides for children's right to an education that is free
from fear, stress and anxiety.

Main features of The Right to Education Act, 2009

Free and compulsory education to all children in the 6 to 14 age group;

No child shall be held back, expelled or required to pass a board examination until
completion of elementary education;

A child above six years of age has not been admitted in any school or though admitted,
could not complete his or her elementary education, then, he or she shall be admitted
in a class appropriate to his or her age; Provided that where a child is directly
admitted in a class appropriate to his or her age, then, he or she shall, in order
to be at par with others, have a right to receive special training, in such manner
and within such time limits, as may be prescribed: Provided further that a child
so admitted to elementary education shall be entitled to free education till completion
of elementary education even after fourteen years.

No child shall be denied admission in a school for lack of age proof.

A child who completes elementary education shall be awarded a certificate;

Implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act,
2009 in Odisha

Odisha is one of the leading States in India to initiate the process of implementation
of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 considering
it as a landmark act in the history of education. The Department of School and Mass
Education, being the nodal Department to implement the Act, has taken proactive
steps towards it’s grounding at all crucial levels, while reaching out to
as many stakeholders as possible. SSA is the principal vehicle for the implementation
of the RTE Act in the state .The RTE Act, 2009 implemented in Odisha on 1st April,
2010